Morgan Stanley's Earnings Drop on Sharp Slide in Fixed-Income Revenue -- Update
April 18 2016 - 07:40AM
Dow Jones News
By Justin Baer
Morgan Stanley said its profit fell in the first quarter after
concerns about the economy sent shivers through the capital
markets, limiting Wall Street clients' appetite to trade or make
deals.
Net income dropped to $1.13 billion, or 55 cents a share, from
$2.39 billion a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters
had expected a per-share profit of 46 cents.
Revenue tumbled to $7.79 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson
Reuters had forecast $7.87 billion.
Morgan Stanley and other big banks are muddling through a steep
slump in their debt-trading business. The downturn prompted the
firm to cut jobs from the unit, which has weighed down Morgan
Stanley's return on equity, a key measure of banks' profitability.
The volatile markets also conspired to weaken investment-banking
activity in the first quarter, hurting a division that had been a
bright spot last year.
Fixed income and commodities sales and trading net revenue
decreased to $873 million from $1.9 billion a year earlier, amid
the depressed energy price environment.
Chief Executive James Gorman said the quarter was characterized
by challenging market conditions and muted client activity.
"While we see some signs of market recovery, global
uncertainties continue to weigh on investor activity," he said.
The firm's shares have tumbled 19% this year as investors
fretted over Morgan Stanley's ability to weather the slowdown.
Write to Justin Baer at justin.baer@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 18, 2016 07:25 ET (11:25 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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